Sweet and sour pink lemonade powder folded in the cream cheese smeared onto a toasted bagel topped with juicy strawberries
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Pink Lemonade Powder
There’s truly nothing quite like the vibrant burst of pink lemonade powder. It delivers an unmistakable flavor that instantly evokes sun-drenched days and refreshing sips. Beyond its delightful taste, pink lemonade powder is incredibly easy to incorporate.
Cream Cheese
At the heart of this delightful spread lies the humble, yet incredibly versatile, cream cheese. Its inherent smoothness and subtle tang provide the perfect counterpoint to the more assertive flavors it’s paired with. Cream cheese is the ideal base. Its rich and creamy texture expertly balances the sweet-tart notes of the pink lemonade.
Toasted Bagel
While the spread itself is a star, its ultimate expression is found when generously slathered onto a perfectly toasted bagel. The act of toasting provides a crucial textural contrast – a satisfying crunch that elevates each bite. It also acts as a sturdy yet yielding vehicle. This allows the creamy, sweet-tart spread to take center stage.
TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST PINK LEMONADE CREAM CHEESE
Do you need to add sugar?
No, there’s no need to add any additional sugar to this recipe. The pink lemonade powder itself contains a carefully balanced amount of sweetness. It also has tartness, ensuring the perfect flavor profile without being overly sugary. Adding more sugar would disrupt this balance and will make the cream cheese spread cloyingly sweet.
The best lemonade powder to use
The best lemonade powder to use is what you prefer. Cream cheese can take on a lot of flavor. For this recipe I used country time pink lemonade. Use what you enjoy and whats available to you.
I want a deeper red color
The pink lemonade powder isn’t enough to color the cream cheese. The added mashed strawberry brightens the cream cheese add more mashed strawberry for a deeper color. Use the pink lemonade powder as an abrasive to macerate the strawberries and make them juicier.
Can you go the natural route?
While many recipes lend themselves to natural ingredients and homemade components, this particular recipe is designed for speed and simplicity. Attempting to create a “natural” pink lemonade flavor from scratch using fresh lemons and berries would take significantly more time. It would also alter the unique taste profile that the pink lemonade powder provides. The convenience of the powder is key to this recipe’s quick and easy appeal.
Soften your cream cheese first
For a truly smooth and lump-free cream cheese spread, it is essential to soften the cream cheese before mixing. Simply let the block of cream cheese sit out at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. This makes the cream cheese pliable and easier to work with. It ensures that it blends seamlessly with the pink lemonade powder. Softened cream cheese also helps to evenly distribute the powder, resulting in a consistent color and flavor throughout the spread.
Toast the bagel well
The perfect complement to this creamy spread is a well-toasted bagel. Aim for a golden, crisp surface that provides a delightful textural contrast to the soft and smooth cream cheese. The subtle crunch of the toasted bagel prevents the overall experience from being monotonous. It adds another layer of enjoyment to each bite. A perfectly toasted bagel also holds up better to the spread, preventing it from becoming soggy.
Pick ripe strawberries
To truly elevate this pink lemonade cream cheese bagel, select only the ripest and juiciest strawberries. Sweet, succulent berries are crucial for balancing the tartness of the lemonade and tying all the flavors together harmoniously. Underripe strawberries can be overly acidic and detract from the overall taste. Look for strawberries that are a deep red color, plump, and fragrant, indicating their peak ripeness and sweetness.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
Mixing bowl
Cutting Board
SIMILAR INGREDIENTS TO
Overnight Pickled Strawberries
Frosted Strawberry Swirl Vanilla Pound Cake
Baked Pancakes with Sweet Cream & Berries
ENJOY THIS RECIPE WITH
FRENCH TOAST MUFFIN CUPS
BROWN BUTTER OAT PANCAKES
CHICKEN AND WAFFLES W/ HOT-COFFEE MAPLE SYRUP
RECIPE
Pink Lemonade Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Combine the strawberry with the pink lemonade powder and mash with a fork.
- Combine the softened cream cheese with the strawberry and pink lemonade powder mixture.
- Add more pink lemonade powder if you prefer it sweeter.
- Toast a bagel and spread with the pink lemonade cream cheese.
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